Ranking quarterback performances from the Divisional round

7. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws the ball in front of New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) in the first quarter during the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 28-45, 292 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INT

If Joe Flacco sits in the pocket a little bit longer on the final drive of the game and looks off the free safety, I’d probably be sitting here today writing about how Joe Fluke-o turns into Joe Cool in the playoffs.

But it didn’t happen.

Flacco was magnificent throughout the game, but just couldn’t make plays at the same rate as Tom Brady. I admire Flacco’s effort, but I rank him at seven because his mistakes cost his team the game.

After Julian Edelman’s dime of a touchdown pass to tie the score at 28, Flacco responded by throwing a bad pick to Devin McCourty. Although the Pats didn’t score off of the turnover, the Ravens needed a much better response from their quarterback.

Flacco then couldn’t manufacture a touchdown after driving his team into the red zone, which forced Baltimore to settle for a field goal. Tom Brady responded to that drive by scoring a touchdown to take the lead for good.

And then, of course, there was Flacco’s horrendous pick to end the game. I don’t need to elaborate on that.

Next: Cam Newton